“This” is used for one thing, while “these” is used for more than one thing.
I remember helping someone write a short message and noticing they wrote “these book is interesting.” It sounded slightly wrong, but the reason was simple: these is plural, and book is singular. Many English learners search “this or these” because both words look similar and often appear in everyday sentences.
If they follow a simple grammar rule based on number. Once you understand that rule, choosing between this and these becomes easy.
This or These : Quick Answer
This = used to refer to one person, object, or idea that is near in time or place.
These = used to refer to two or more people, objects, or ideas that are near in time or place.
Examples:
- This book is very interesting.
- These books are very interesting.
- This phone is expensive.
- These phones are expensive.
The key difference is singular vs plural.
Meaning of This and These
Both this and these are demonstrative pronouns and determiners. They are used to point to specific things.
This refers to something singular and close.
Examples:
- This car is new.
- This idea sounds great.
- Who gave you this gift?
These refers to things plural and close.
Examples:
- These apples are fresh.
- These shoes look comfortable.
- I like these pictures.
Origin of This and These
The words this and these come from Old English.
- This comes from the Old English word þis, meaning “the one here.”
- These developed as the plural form used to refer to multiple things nearby.
English has kept this singular plural pattern for centuries, which is why the rule is very consistent today.
This or These Grammar Rule
The rule is simple: use “this” with singular nouns and “these” with plural nouns.
| Word | Number | Example |
| This | Singular | This phone is expensive. |
| These | Plural | These phones are expensive. |
Examples:
- This student is very hardworking.
- These students are very hardworking.
If there is one item, use this.
If there are two or more items, use these.
This or These in Questions
Both words often appear in questions.
Examples:
With “this”
- What is this?
- Is this your bag?
With “these”
- What are these?
- Are these your keys?
Notice how the verb changes:
- this → is
- these → are
This or These with Uncountable Nouns
Another important point is that this can also be used with uncountable nouns, which are things that cannot be counted individually.
Examples:
- This water is cold.
- This information is helpful.
- This advice is useful.
However, these is not normally used with uncountable nouns because they cannot be counted in plural form.
Common Mistakes with This or These
1. Using “These” with a Singular Noun
❌ These book is interesting.
✅ This book is interesting.
2. Using “This” with a Plural Noun
❌ This apples are fresh.
✅ These apples are fresh.
3. Mixing Verb Agreement
❌ This books are expensive.
✅ These books are expensive.
❌ These book is new.
✅ This book is new.
4. Forgetting the Singular Plural Rule
Sometimes people focus on the noun but forget to match the demonstrative word correctly.
Always check:
- one item → this
- multiple items → these
These or This in Everyday Examples
In Conversation
- This movie is amazing.
- These movies are amazing.
Shopping
- I like this jacket.
- I like these jackets.
In School
- This question is difficult.
- These questions are difficult.
On Social Media
- Love this picture!
- Love these pictures!
Comparison Table: This vs These
| Feature | This | These |
| Number | Singular | Plural |
| Meaning | One item | Two or more items |
| Example | This car | These cars |
| Verb used | is | are |
| Distance | Near | Near |
Both words refer to things close to the speaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “this” singular or plural?
This is singular.
Example:
- This phone is mine.
Is “these” singular or plural?
These is plural.
Example:
- These phones are mine.
Can “this” refer to people?
Yes.
Example:
- This is my friend John.
Can “these” refer to people?
Yes.
Example:
- These are my classmates.
What verbs usually follow them?
- This → is
- These → are
Example:
- This is my bag.
- These are my bags.
Conclusion
The difference between this and these is based on number. This refers to one person, object, or idea that is close to the speaker, while these refers to two or more people or things that are also nearby.
This simple singular plural rule helps determine which word to use in a sentence. Many mistakes happen when writers mix singular nouns with plural forms or forget to match the correct verb.
Once you remember that this is singular and these is plural, the confusion disappears. Using the correct form makes your sentences clearer and grammatically accurate in both speaking and writing.
I am Bryan A. Garner, an American writer and editor focused on English usage, grammar, and word choice.
I am best known for Garner’s Modern English Usage, a reference book widely used by writers, editors, and legal professionals.
My work centers on clarity, precision, and resolving confusing word comparisons in modern English.
